2019 Custom Lunenburg Schooner

Celebrated schooner-man and master shipwright David Westergard has been carrying on the Canadian schooner building tradition for many years.  His shop in the Big Boat Shed of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia previously housed the Smith and Rhuland Shipyard, in operation since 1900.  More than 270 boats have been built on the site including prominent vessels such as the Bounty, Rose, and Bluenose II.  

Of the 10 schooners designed and built by Westergard over the years, one of the most successful was the spectacularly fast Tancook Whaler, SON OF A GUN, featured in the February 2006 issue of WoodenBoat Magazine.  So, in 2018 when the time came for his most recent speculative project, the plan to build on that success and do a new boat of nearly identical dimensions was clear.

Westergard designed THE SHOW in collaboration with esteemed Canadian yacht designer Laurie McGowan and he describes her as "a Lunenburg inshore fishing schooner, a family boat, a traditional racing schooner, or even a workboat.  A real beauty from any angle - as boats should be." 

The layout consists of a large, 14-foot-long self-bailing open cockpit divided by structural thwarts and the mainmast partners, ahead of which the companionway leads down to the cabin or “cud” which houses a simple wrap-around settee, small wood stove, and a table over the centerboard trunk.  Hammocks are the preferred means for sleeping, but there's plenty of space for a v-berth and some shelves up forward if more overnight comfort is desired.   Cabin headroom is 5'.

You can almost smell the faint aroma of pine tar mixing with that of strong coffee percolating on the wood stove...  brewed between chapters of some great seafaring novel read by the warm glow of paraffin lamplight.   Throw in a sky full of stars and waves lapping against the hull - you get the picture.

Built over an 18-month period and launched in 2019, THE SHOW is “built like they built them when they built them all the time.”  Constructed with the finest materials and integrity, yet the anthesis of a "yacht".  Her workboat finish is simple, traditional, and pure.  

THE SHOW represents the epitome of 19th Century small working schooner evolution. Gaff rigged, with an enchanting sheer, spoon bow, and a curved raking transom.  With her centerboard and shallow draft, she is wickedly fast, can handle large groups of friends and family, would be great for fishing or could be used for day charters.  

When the wind dies, THE SHOW continues to glide along noiselessly with her auxiliary electric motor. Top speed under power is about 8 knots, which can be maintained for about 1 hour when fully charged.   At 3/4 throttle (cruising speed) duration is closer to three hours.

INVENTORY: 

     Herreshoff fisherman anchor with 200' ¾” rode and chain leader.

     6" constellation compass 

     Required safety gear: Lifejackets, flares, fog horn, etc. 

     Small cast iron “Gift” wood stove

HULL:

     Yellow cedar topside planking 

     Hackmatack garboards and sheer plank

     White pine bottom (no sap wood) 

     White oak bent frames in between double-sawn hackmatack frames

     Fastened with bronze screws, copper rivets and trunnels throughout

     Walnut and yellow cedar finish below 

DECK: 

     Old growth vertical grain Doug fir 

     White oak covering boards 

     Fastened with stainless steel screws 

SPARS: 

     Black spruce, hollow birds mouth construction 

RIG: 

     Dynema standing rigging set up with dead eyes and lanyards

     All blocks custom made by Lunenburg’s Arthur Dauphinee.

          Walnut shells with bronze sheaves 

SAILS: 

     Custom made by RB Stevens of Lunenburg:  Oceanus, 3 lowers 

PROPULSION

     Lynch 48V electric motor  

     4, 8D AGM batteries with charger 

     Two-blade prop.  18" dia. 

HARDWARE:

     Stainless steel centerboard with bronze worm screw lifting winch 

     Bronze 2 speed foresail winches 

     Custom steel shipping cradle